A HiPP carrot and potato baby food jar Photo: VCG

German baby food maker HiPP said suspected contamination of its jarred infant food products with rodent poison was detected in some European countries including Czech Republic and Slovakia, prompting retailers in both countries to pull all such products from shelves as a precaution. The company told the Global Times the incident was the result of deliberate tampering and is being treated as a criminal case, adding that all products sold in China remain safe for consumption.

The company said the incident involved deliberate tampering at supermarkets in Austria, the Czech Republic and other locations, and is being treated as a criminal case under police investigation. It stressed that the issue was not related to product quality and affected only a very limited number of jarred baby food products. 

All HiPP products sold through official channels in China are not involved and remain safe for consumption, the company told the Global Times in a statement on Monday.

Retail partners in the Czech Republic and Slovakia have taken precautionary measures by removing HiPP jarred baby food products from shelves, the company said. 

In Austria, HiPP has recalled jarred baby food purchased from SPAR supermarkets, where one deliberately tampered product was identified and recovered as part of the recall, according to the statement.

Austrian police reported toxic substances in a jar of HiPP baby food - specifically a 190-gram jar of carrot and potato puree. The product was recalled from over 1,500 Spar supermarkets, according to Eastern European media NEXTA's report.

Besides, the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety warned parents whose babies had consumed the brand's food to consult a doctor if their children showed signs of bleeding, extreme weakness or paleness, according to the BBC News.

Police in the eastern region of Burgenland said the poisoned jar of carrot and potato puree had been reported by a customer and that their baby had fortunately not consumed the food, according to the BBC News.

The jar had apparently been tampered with, police said. Authorities believe at least one more poisoned jar is in circulation and have issued guidance on how to recognize tampered jars, BBC reported.

This incident is unrelated to the quality or production of HiPP Germany products. The deliberate tampering occurred after the products left the factory and constitutes a criminal act, according to the HiPP's statement. 

HiPP also advised consumers to check the integrity of packaging for its products, as well as any infant food, ensuring in particular that the vacuum safety seal on jars has not been compromised, and to avoid consuming any products showing signs of tampering. The company said it is maintaining close and ongoing communication with relevant authorities in the affected countries regarding follow-up actions.

The incident has sparked widespread reaction on social media. On platform X, some users said the incident appeared to be "less a food safety failure and more a targeted criminal act," while others described it as "really alarming," adding that such an incident would likely trigger a full investigation and recalls if needed, and expressing hope that authorities would act swiftly to ensure no one is harmed.

Established in Germany more than 120 years ago, HiPP sells organic infant food products worldwide, according to reports. The company currently operates in nearly 60 countries and regions, offering more than 400 products including infant formula, baby food, personal care items and nutritional products.